Ferrari Experiences: Everything you need to know

At Wish.co.uk, we pride ourselves on offering a truly enormous range of supercar driving experiences. But for the real motorheads, there’s only one true supercar: a Morris Minor. (Only joking!) The iconic red Ferrari epitomises everything that’s great about motor racing, and here’s your chance to drive one at high speed in a really big circle.

Feel the awesome purr of a classic Ferrari as you take to the track in one of these world-class vehicles. Choose between the Ferrari 360, the Ferrari 355, the Ferrari 458 or a spotless vintage Ferrari 308QV. You can combine your Ferrari experience with a session in another supercar if you like, giving you double the fun and double the boasting potential when you get home.

All our Ferrari driving experiences come with professional tuition as standard, and you can choose your location from a UK-wide range that includes world-famous tracks such as Silverstone, Goodwood and Thruxton. For the truly motor-mad, we also offer driving days that include free passenger rides, and if you do want to drive two or three cars in one visit, there are plenty of packages to choose from. Don’t forget: you’ll get free UK delivery too.

FAQs

Q: Ooooh, a Ferrari.

A: That’s not really a question.

Q: Ooooh, a Ferrari?

A: That’s better. Yes it is!

Q: What type of Ferraris?

A: There are literally loads, one that will satisfy even you, who is known as Picky Pickerton the Harbinger of Fuss. The Ferrari 360 is a popular choice, but you can also choose the 355, the 458 Italia or a classic 308QV for a retro driving experience. Junior drivers can choose the 360 or 575. That’s a lot of number and letter combinations, which is a sure sign of quality. Different vehicles are available at different locations, so check the small print carefully if you have a particular Ferrari in mind, though you are free to name your particular Ferrari whatever you wish for the entire time it is in your presence.

Q: I am nine months old, is that problematic?

A: Yes, the minimum age is 17, and bear in mind that you will need a full UK driving licence (and not a full English breakfast, as someone misread it. That was a trying day). Some venues will ask that you’ve held your licence for a year (or even three) before you attend, so you effectively need to be older than 17 to take part. If you’re not old enough for these driving experiences, try a junior driving day instead. Attempting a ‘gruff’ voice, drawing a beard on your face with biro and wearing really tall shoes will not work so don’t try it.

Q: How long will I actually be inside the Ferrari?

A: This varies by location, but you can typically expect to get roughly six laps of driving in. Check the smallprint for details. Note that your overall experience will last longer because you’ll be preparing in another car before you climb into the Ferrari with childish excitement.

Q: And how long will the Ferrari be?

A: Really? Erm, I don’t know, about eight foot? Something like that? Does it matter?

Q: Do I need to bring anything? Like pens?

A: You must bring your original UK driving licence (no photocopies, facsimiles or crude drawings of your licence) and wear suitable clothing and shoes. We know you love your ‘special driving muumuu’ but it may not be appropriate on this occasion. You might also want to bring some money for snacks and drinks, although refreshments are sometimes provided on the day.

Q: I am frightened of everything, can I bring someone?

A: Spectators are often allowed at the experiences, but check with the supplier first. They may need to pay an entrance fee though they no longer have to perform a ‘jovial jig’ at the Somerset tracks.

Q: I get incredibly bored very quickly and I’m sure I will soon tire of the Ferrari. What can I do?

A: Easy! We have plenty of experiences combining Ferrari driving with other things, such as different supercars of the Porsche or Lamborghini ilk, or rallying or off roading or all-sorts. You will not get bored, you cannot get bored. It is simply not an option.

Q: And if I decide to talk in an exaggerated Italian accent...?

A: Please don’t do that.

Fun Facts

1: Though the first official Ferrari road car was the 125 Sport, produced in 1947, the first vehicle built by Enzo Ferrari was the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 in 1940. It raced at the Brescia Grand Prix of that year, but pulled out due to engine difficulties and also because the front of it looks like a face. Look at it, it looks like a sad, weird face. Who wants to own that? A face-fronted car? No-one..

2: During the First World War, Enzo Ferrari worked as a blacksmith for the Italian army, specifically shoeing mules. It is thought that this may have been a practical joke that went too far.

3: Ferrari use the famous the Cavallino Rampante (or ‘prancing horse’) symbol on all their cars. After winning a race in 1923, a Countess asked Enzo Ferrari to adopt the horse as his symbol to bring him luck, as it had been her husband’s mascot. Although, as her husband was a fighter pilot killed in action, it doesn’t sound that lucky. I’d have picked a zebra or something.

4: In what has been dubbed ‘the most expensive car crash in history’ American businessman Christopher Cox smashed his Ferrari 250 GTO on his way to Le Mans while in a convoy of other classic cars. A similar 1962 GTO sold for a staggering $35million, leaving Mr. Cox feeling, as medical experts dubbed it, ‘pig sick’.

5: The cheapest Ferrari component you can buy is a washer for around 10p. Though a diamond encrusted, gold variety is available for £4.2million.

6: Legend has it that Ferruccio Lamborghini started his luxury car company after approaching Ferrari for a replacement part and being treated rudely. Lamborghini decided to use a bull on his insignia rather than a horse as he felt bulls are better than horses.

7: Celebrities including Seal, 50 Cent and Seal are Ferrari owners. Ones who aren’t Ferrari owners are fictional characters such as Raymond from Everybody Loves Raymond, Sully from Monsters Inc and Sinbad.

8: The first car given the iconic Testarossa name was a 1958 V12 edition which featured a red camshaft cover. Testarossa translates literally as ‘redhead’ and not ‘maroon testicles’ as it’s defined in some of the cheaper English/Italian dictionaries.

9: Ferraris come in 16 standard colours, but the company is happy to paint your vehicle in any hue that it has used previously. Perhaps the most famous variety is ‘Ferrari red’ which has been compared to tomatoes, telephone boxes and red cars.

10: It’s not just the cars that cost a lot of money when it comes to Ferraris. A brochure for a 250 Le Mans from the 1960s sold for over £1000 at a 1985 auction. At the time, a Ferrari brochure expert was quoted as saying, ‘This is the first time anyone has ever asked me anything’.

11: Musician Chris Rea was so fascinated by the story of German Count Wolfgang von Trips and his 1961 racing ‘sharknose’ Ferrari that he wrote and financed a film, 1996’s La Passione. The film starred Shirley Bassey, Paul Shane and Keith Barron. Honestly. I’m not kidding. That’s who he got to be in it.